Hello BBOS members and guests, it's time for our Weekly Recap for 8/28 - 9/3, 2011. The links below are the "in a nutshell" of what happened in everything BlackBerry last week. Leave us a comment on what you thought was the most memorable moment of the BlackBerry weekly recap!

We have all been there, patiently waiting for that OS update from our carrier. With RIM's Java-based OS carriers have had to test, and retest the OS to allow for network compatibility. These long delays caused by carrier testing have always been a contributer to the slow roll out of updates from RIM.
This has all changed with the implementation of RIM's QNX based OS. QNX allows RIM to separate certain parts of code that often times the carrier would have to test. This separation, and elimination of carrier testing allows for faster OTA updates. This type of update can already be seen in how the BlackBerry PlayBook updates itself. A user is alerted that there is a update for the device, and they simply click on install.
This type of quick updating is absolutely crucial with new devices, as bugs are found all the time shortly after a new release. We have seen affects of quick OTA updates within the PlayBook, as many of those updates have quickly resolved issues, and enhanced the user experience.

And another one bites the dust. More troubles arise as RIM loses yet another key team member. Alex Ivanovic lead product manager for BlackBerry Business Cloud Services for Microsoft Office 365 has officially left the team. Alex spearheaded integrating BES with Office 365. According to reports Alex apepars to be quite happy with his new job working for nulayer, a company that specialized in developing apps for iPhones and iPads. As more and more personnel continue to part ways with RIM it leaves us wondering whats really going on inside RIM.

It seems that BBM Music is slowly being prepared for mass market launch, as it has been spotted in App World today. The app is still Beta Zone-only & requires a keycode, but it's quite simple to download now.

With a Period End Date of late September, maybe we are merely weeks away from launch?

It seems like every company is involved in some sort of patent infringement legal battle these days, and RIM is certainly no exception. Patents protect a company's intellectual property from other company's that may want to use them. OpenWave Systems, a mobile solution provider announced yesterday that it has sued RIM, in particular baring the import of the BlackBerry PlayBook, and the BlackBerry Curve 9330.
In Short the law suite states RIM along with Apple have infringed on five of its mobile Internet patents. These patents include the following:

Patent that generally allows a user to use e-mail applications on a mobile device when the network is unavailable – such as when a user is on an airplane.

Patent that generally allows the mobile device to operate seamlessly, and securely, with a server over a wireless network.

Patent that generally allows access to updated versions of applications on mobile devices.

Patent that generally allows consumers to experience an improved user experience in navigating through various pages of information without delay.

Patent that enables data in the cloud to be accessed or shared by different devices such as mobile handsets or computers.

"We believe that these large companies should pay Openwave to use the technologies that we invented and that have become foundational to the mobile Internet – particularly in light of the substantial revenue these companies have earned from devices that we believe use Openwave's patented technology," Says Ken Denman chief executive of Openwave.

The company stated that they tried to reach out to RIM several times , but their attempts were dismissed.

So it looks like the second installment of BlackBerry devices is suppose to hit Verizon in the coming weeks. According to the latest leaked photo, the full touch screen Torch 9850 is set to launch online Sept 8, and follow availability in stores on Sept 15. This will be good news for those who have been waiting for the full touch screen device running OS 7. Let us know if you are getting a 9850!

Hello BBOS members and guests, it's time for our Weekly Recap for 8/21 - 8/27, 2011. The links below are the "in a nutshell" of what happened in everything BlackBerry last week. Leave us a comment on what you thought was the most memorable moment of the BlackBerry weekly recap!

According to reports RIM's new phones scheduled to be launched in 2012, will have the ability to run android apps. These sources that have asked to remain anonymous, have stated that RIM's new QNX based phones slated for next year, will be Android compatible. This is good news as we patiently await the arrival of the super phone.

If you're curious to how soon Rogers will be releasing the recently announced BlackBerry Curve 9360, you'll be happy to know that they've stated it will be available in time for "Back To School" season.

Hello BBOS members and guests, it's time for our Weekly Recap for 8/14 - 8/20, 2011. The links below are the "in a nutshell" of what happened in everything BlackBerry last week. Leave us a comment on what you thought was the most memorable moment of the BlackBerry weekly recap!

The Wall Street Journal's child website, All Things D, reports that the new BlackBerry Music service will cost $5 a month for 50 songs. These songs can then be shared with friends via BBM. More details include:

A full-fledged rollout is planned for the first three territories later this fall.

RIM is negotiating global licenses with the music companies, and expects to launch in other territories in 2012; the big idea is to piggyback on the success of RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger service, which has more than 45 million users worldwide.

Subscribers won’t be able to export their music to PCs or other hardware, with the exception of RIM’s much-maligned PlayBook tablet.

Subscribers will be able to share songs with friends who are also BBM Music subscribers.

The article also suggest a September beta launch...

The music industry sources believe RIM is aiming for a beta launch in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom in early September. A RIM rep declined to comment.

Hello BBOS members and guests, it's time for our Weekly Recap for 8/7 - 8/13, 2011. The links below are the "in a nutshell" of what happened in everything BlackBerry last week. Leave us a comment on what you thought was the most memorable moment of the BlackBerry weekly recap!

A BlackBerry Bold 9900 was spotted on display at a Carphone Warehouse in the UK yesterday. This comes a few days before most carriers in UK & USA have planned to released the device. It is unclear at this time if it's already for sale at this store or if the display was prematurely put up.

If you've noticed recently that Koodo was selling the BlackBerry Curve 3G for a no-contract price of $150, you probably wondered if this was foresight to new things to come. Well, according to the above screenshot, Koodo will soon be carrying the BlackBerry Curve 9360 with a $300 price tag. No much is known on this unreleased/unannounced device, but I'm sure more details will become available closer to when this device launches.

We were a bit surprised to learn today that RIM is suspending their BlackBerry Certification Program indefinitely.

If this certification program sounds foreign to you, it's a program that trains professionals on the BlackBerry solution for real-world scenarios.

Dear BlackBerry Alliance Partner:

RIM has decided to suspend indefinitely its BlackBerry Certification Program. A broad range of online and instructor-led training offerings remain available to help our customers use BlackBerry products (see BlackBerry - BlackBerry | Wireless Handheld Devices, Software & Services from Research In Motion (RIM)). RIM will continue to work with customers and partners to develop the most valuable learning and support services. Effective immediately partners will no longer be required to complete their Service Competency obligations under Section 2.3 of the Alliance Program Guide. Until September 9, 2011 you may contact us with any questions you may have.